DOWNEY - City Councilman-elect Alex Saab, who won the open District 5 seat in Tuesday's election and will be the only newcomer to the council, says one of his top priorities will be to address the future of the Fire Department.

In a post-election interview last week, Saab said he is concerned about an ongoing feasibility study to dissolve the Downey Fire Department and contract with Los Angeles County for emergency services.

In July, the City Council voted 3-2 for the study, which is supported by the Downey Firefighters Association. Mayor Roger Brossmer and councilmen Luis Marquez and Fernando Vasquez supported the study, while Councilman Mario Guerra and former Councilman David Gafin opposed it.

"What makes us special is our independence," said Saab, 37, who will be sworn in to the council December 6. "We have our own fire department, our own police department and our own school district. That local control is important.

"Will it really be a cost savings and with excellent services?"

The study is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year. The city is expected to form a committee to discuss the findings.

Before the city could make changes to the Fire Department, it would need approval from voters, who passed a 1998 ballot measure requiring any change in fire or police services be approved by voters.

With the endorsements of 10 former city mayors, Saab easily defeated his three opponents in Tuesday's election with 56.81 percent of the vote, 9,827 more than the second-place finisher, former Bell Gardens Councilman Salvador Franco, who had 17.72 percent, according to unofficial final results.

Brossmer, who was unopposed in District 3, and Marquez also won. His race was tighter than Saab's.

Saab, an attorney who owns a law firm, is the president elect of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, but said he will resign before his December council swearing in.

Saab is the vice president of the Southeast District Bar Association and a member of the legislative committee and the chairperson of the City Affairs Committee of the Downey Chamber of Commerce.

Saab also is active with the Downey Association of Realtors, serving on the Professional Standards-Ethics Committee and on the Grievance Committee.

Saab said his priorities are job creation, public safety, fiscal responsibility, upgrading parks, expanding the arts and making City Hall more accessible to residents.

A lifelong Downey resident, Saab, who has a 4-year-old son, Dominic, with his wife, Giovanna, said he was elected to make tough decisions.

"Residents want an honest, ethical person who will make tough decisions," Saab said. "That's what we all want, and I am committed to do that."